Jul 22, 2021

Vale Dexter Kruger: Australia’s “Oldest Living Man” of all time dies aged 111

Dexter Kruger aged 111 dies

Australia’s oldest person has died aged 111. Former grazier and veterinary surgeon, Dexter Kruger, passed away peacefully in his sleep at an aged care home in Roma, Queensland after a brief illness.

Dexter officially became Australia’s oldest man on May 17, when he was aged 111 years and 124 days, overtaking World War I veteran Jack Lockett who died in 2002 aged 111 years and 123 days.

Born on January 13, 1910 to German immigrant parents, he spent most of his life on his 5,300-hectare cattle property, only leaving his primary place of residence in his mid-90s.

During his lifetime, he lived through two world wars, countless droughts and 30 prime ministers.

He was also a poet and author, writing 12 books, the most recent of which was an autobiography. 

He dabbled in social media, but had a problem signing up for Twitter when the system could not accept an applicant born in 1920.

Dexter said living a remote rural lifestyle and eating chicken brains helped him reach such an impressive age.

“People do eat too much,” he said. “They eat themselves into the grave.”

“Find something you like to do and do it well,” was his advice. “I set myself a goal when I was quite young and I achieved that.”

Dexter said becoming Australia’s oldest person was “a great honour”.

Ann Leahy MP, the member for Warrego in Queensland, sent her “deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Australian legend, Dexter Kruger.

“We will all miss his signature charm, dry wit and love of chocolate. 

“Dexter has left us with a wonderful legacy, of 12 books, over 300 stories and poems and an autobiography,” Leahy continued. 

“My kindest thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Plumber fixes 91-year-old’s boiler for free, act of kindness goes viral

A plumber has received praise from around the world after he fixed a 91-year-old woman’s boiler and did not charge her a cent for his efforts. James Anderson, a plumber from Burnley in the UK, issued an invoice after completing the work which reads, “Lady is 91 years of age, acute leukaemia, and end-of-life care. ... Read More

Should those living in aged care facilities be called ‘consumers’?

“What’s in a name”, Juliet asked Romeo in Shakespeare’s famous tragedy. We all know how that story turned out: names meant a lot to the Capulet and Montague families. And if the heated debate that’s been raging in the Australian aged care system is any indicator, names also mean a lot to older Australians. The introduction... Read More

A Mid-Life Sea Change: How Karen found Calling in Aged Care

Aged care worker, Karen Gerrard is set to make a difference in the Cairns community after a mid-life career change led her to doing what she loves. After holidaying in Cairns, and visiting for conferences and forums over the last 20 years, the Community Business Partner at Envigor Home Care made a permanent move to... Read More
Advertisement